LRT Saves Highway Space

Back in the 1980’s old Zwei was in constant contact (snail mail) with a Siemens representative in Europe. What was really interesting is that Siemens knew more about the proprietary SkyTrain system, than BC Transit. That was thirty years ago, but what is relevant to day is that modern LRT has always and still saves […]

Is it time for TransLink to study TramTrain?

Another TramTrain is being installed and I thing it is time that both TransLink and BC Transit send a fact finding tour to Europe to investigate TramTrain! As expensive vanity transit projects are seriously in trouble, the time has come to study 21st century transit philosophy and rethink expensive 20th century mini-metro. The Leewood/Rail for […]

Are traffic flows along Broadway enough to justify a subway?

Are traffic flows along Broadway enough to justify a subway? Simple answer is no, not anywhere close! Traffic flows along Broadway are around 4,000 persons per hour per direction in the peak, but because it riders are mostly cheap fare U-Pass holders and operates buses at a far grater frequency than needed off the peak […]

Has the TransLink brand past its “best by” date?

The mainstream media seldom give somewhat negative stories about TransLink and this item from Radio News 1130 may be the “shape of things to come”. For too long TransLink has treated its passengers as cattle, acting like the “lord of the manor”, superior to all within its prevue. For too long, TransLink has not been […]

An Australian Perspective.

I will repeat this once again to prevent any misunderstanding; Congestion charges and/or road pricing will not work in our region until we have a viable public transit system to provide an attractive alternative to the car. Buses are not and I repeat, are not a viable and attractive alternative to the car and only […]

LRT is physically easier to expand and add routes.

The monorail lobby is like the the SkyTrain lobby and their motto seems to be;Ai?? don’t confuse me with facts.” There are many similarities between monorail and SkyTrain ALRT/ART and in fact our SkyTrain is sometimes mistakenly called a monorail overseas. The big drawback, of course, is that they are proprietary railways and the operating […]

Subway Realities From Toronto

Interesting article from Toronto, which spells out some fiscal subway realities to TransLink and the City of Vancouver. Please note Zwei’s two comments in the article and should give one pause to think that in Vancouver, the cost of subway construction has been vastly understated. Mayor John Tory eyes alternative, more expensive routes for Scarborough […]

Calgary S200 – The Evolution High Floor Light Rail Vehicle

Calgary’s light rail can be best described as a 1970’s Belgium inspired ‘pre-metro’, using high floor light rail vehicles, using elaborate stations. 90% of the line was built at-grade on dedicated rights-of-ways, with the downtown section seeing operation mixed with buses. The initial cost per kilometre of Calgary’s LRT was less than half of Vancouver’s […]

The Worldai??i??s First Solar Road Is Producing More Energy Than Expected

This is an interesting experiment. More and more, solar power is becoming a realistic option, especially with transit. This is just an experiment, but the potential of using roads to produce power is vast and in twenty years hence; just imagine……………   The Worldai??i??s First Solar Road Is Producing More Energy Than Expected by Katie […]

Solar Powered Trams For Melbourne?

Something to think about, solar powered trams! Renewable energy group bids to turn Melbourne’s trams solar May 18, 2015 Tom Arup Environment editor, The Age Melbourne’s entire tram network could be powered by solarAi??if the state government gaveAi??a bold renewable energy proposal the green light. While the pitchAi??may conjure upAi??images of trams with rooftop panels […]